Is it really worth the time, money and effort?

Visiting the dentist regularly is becoming increasingly important.

How often you should visit the dentist is dependent upon a number of factors which your dentist will assess each time you visit, these could include:

• Medical factors- certain medical conditions such as diabetes can increase your risk of developing dental problems.
• Social Factors- a family history of dental disease may suggest that we need to see you more regularly to monitor your dental health, equally habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can hugely increase the risk of developing dental disease.
• Dietary Habits- a diet high in sugary or acidic food and drinks would suggest the need for closer monitoring as this type of diet is linked to dental disease.

You might be surprised to learn the extent of what goes on during a routine dental examination, it may appear that your dentist is ‘just having a quick look’ however what is he really looking at? During every examination at Birchfield Dental Practice we assess each patient as if it is the first time we’ve seen you. We talk about your general health and wellbeing, we look at the overall health of the teeth and gums, we do a thorough soft tissue examination of all the oral structures to check for signs of oral cancer, we assess the quality of all existing dental work such as fillings, crowns and bridges, we measure the health of your gums and supporting structures and we listen to your concerns or queries. We may take x-rays and photographs if needed and will discuss any treatment needs you may have, talking to about your treatment options and all associated costs......it really is that involved!

It’s becoming increasingly common to ‘put off’ your dental examination for a number of reasons whether it be to save money or because you are nervous and don’t like visiting the dentist. Either way you may end up in a worse position if you leave it longer than recommended. So if you’ve received your examination reminder call us and book your appointment to avoid unnecessary dental problems and costly treatment.